German Shepard

[Dr.drivability]

This dog has become my best freind, but hates my kids. 10mos old Very loyal to me but she is very nasty to my 3 daughters. Why??Had her 6 mos. Just came up!!

 

[413turbo]

i'm gonna go out on a limb here, but i bet you never chase him around when he just wants to chill. i have a doberman, very big and laid back. loves to play with me- but only tolerates kids (even mine). my dog has snapped at my son 2 or 3 times (i had told him more than once not to bother him, that if he wanted attention he would come to him.) my kid finally learned, and no he never got bit, just scared. now, the dog and the kid have a good bond going on, but it took a while.

 

[Dr.drivability]

i'm gonna go out on a limb here, but i bet you never chase him around when he just wants to chill. i have a doberman, very big and laid back. loves to play with me- but only tolerates kids (even mine). my dog has snapped at my son 2 or 3 times (i had told him more than once not to bother him, that if he wanted attention he would come to him.) my kid finally learned, and no he never got bit, just scared. now, the dog and the kid have a good bond going on, but it took a while.

The dog normally comes to work with me and is very calm with me and her but she does not like my kids. She is even cool with my wife!

 

[413turbo]

Can you elaborate? does he run and hide, growl, jealous?

 

[need boost]

Sounds like jealous to me, she wants all your attention and sees them as something to take that away. Better get a hand on it quick or get rid of her ! NO dog is worth a child having her face tore open from it. I have personally seen what a shepard can do to a childs face and its NOT GOOD. The little girl came up behind it and touched its hauches and it turned and snapped out of instint, not the dogs fault but it didnt matter ! Sheppards are a big dog and like any big dog especially they can hurt you bad even not meaning to Daniel

 

[notacarlo]

YOu need to have the kids start feeding the dog. You should have nothing to do with feeding. (other than supervising)

The Shepherd needs to look to the kids as a means to get what it needs. Respect is a big deal to this breed. Dicipline also needs to be carried out by the kids on occasion. The dog needs to learn its place in the family hiarchy.

Right now you are boss and it is in second command. This is a "not good" situation.

You need to resolve it before the dog reaches 1 year. (or at least get the ball rolling)

I have a shepherd and I trust her hole heartedly with my 4 year old daughter. That dog will kill anything that would try to hurt her.

At 10 months old, I would say there is still great hope for the dog to become a good family pet.

This dog have papers? Breed tracking can tell you alot about the temperament with youngsters.

 

[Grumpy]

ya you have to get a handle on this right away !! My shepard never saw a small kid to a few years ago .. Sister in law brought over her grandchild.. Kid had never had a dog. I watched him very carefulley! They each did a "stare down" with each other . She (3 years old) went over to the dog.. A few minutes later he just got up and started dragging up his toys for them to play with. It was a roit! Good luck .. They are awesome dogs

 

[TR Custom Parts]

Haven't been a fan of Shepards since I was two years old and one grabbed me by the throat and shook me like a rag doll. My fault because I went over to see the nice doggie that was chained up and minding it's own business.

Get a handle on the situation right away, would hate to see the kids get hurt. Maybe you need to look up that dog whisperer guy, maybe he has a website.

 

[Dr.drivability]

Haven't been a fan of Shepards since I was two years old and one grabbed me by the throat and shook me like a rag doll. My fault because I went over to see the nice doggie that was chained up and minding it's own business.

Get a handle on the situation right away, would hate to see the kids get hurt. Maybe you need to look up that dog whisperer guy, maybe he has a website.

This dog use to run away from it's previous owner and come in my shop, so one day I went to the owner (neighbor) and said what are we doing here? If you don't want the dog I'll tend to her. The owner had a heart attack on the day of my car show and couldn't take care of it. The dog is akc. The bloodline is not american shepard. This dog does not require a lead when I walk her.

 

[stack1]

There is one reason and one reason only for the dogs behavior to your kids. He doesn't respect them. For all dogs, there has to be a hierarchy. Right now it's you, then your wife, then the dog, then the kids. You have to put the dog at the end. As notacarlo said, start by giving the kids control over feeding. It's also attitude, your kids must believe that they control the dog. The dog gets nothing unless he submits. Don't listen to people that say the dog must go, with proper education for you and proper training to the dog, this situation can be easily corrected.

 

[notacarlo]

Also, please hold the dog back as the kiddo's fill the bowl. Do not stray from the dog while they are handling it's food. This is a change, and it won't really know what's going on until a routine has begun.

 

[rmar]

Correct, he is picking his spot in the food chain. and he needs to understand it is in the rear of the line. No exceptions.

 

[413turbo]

 

[Dr.drivability]

There is one reason and one reason only for the dogs behavior to your kids. He doesn't respect them. For all dogs, there has to be a hierarchy. Right now it's you, then your wife, then the dog, then the kids. You have to put the dog at the end. As notacarlo said, start by giving the kids control over feeding. It's also attitude, your kids must believe that they control the dog. The dog gets nothing unless he submits. Don't listen to people that say the dog must go, with proper education for you and proper training to the dog, this situation can be easily corrected.

Thanks stack1! I belive this is do able!!I didn't ask for this dog, but I feel it's my cross to deal with!! The dog sought me out, how can I not????

 

[stack1]

I'm a firm believer in Cesar Millan's training methods. His show (The Dog Whisperer) is on the National Geographic channel. I'd recommend DVR'ing his show. Large dog aggression is a commonly addressed issue in his shows. Our American Bulldog is the most stubborn dog I have ever owned or seen. But our 5lb cat eats out of his dish with him. We also had some submission issues with our 12 y/o daughter. But it was all because she wasn't taking a dominate role and she dished out affection without making him earn it, so he didn't respect her. Make sure the dog is calm and submissive before she gets any type of reward (affection, food, praise, petting). Good luck, and you're right, this dog came upon you for a reason!

 

[1 RARE T]

I have a 119 lb female that is in the house with my 2 and 4 yr olds.

She's 8 now and I have no worries.

THE thing is tough love when thier young and you'll be fine later.

My dog has never been tied up and wil not leave the property.

You need to commit the time to the training. Make sure you have the time.

 

[aminga]

I'm a firm believer in Cesar Millan's training methods. His show (The Dog Whisperer) is on the National Geographic channel. I'd recommend DVR'ing his show. Large dog aggression is a commonly addressed issue in his shows. Our American Bulldog is the most stubborn dog I have ever owned or seen. But our 5lb cat eats out of his dish with him. We also had some submission issues with our 12 y/o daughter. But it was all because she wasn't taking a dominate role and she dished out affection without making him earn it, so he didn't respect her. Make sure the dog is calm and submissive before she gets any type of reward (affection, food, praise, petting). Good luck, and you're right, this dog came upon you for a reason!

Cesar truly understands dogs. Dr. Drivability. The problem is your daughter needs to be above him in the pack and she isn't.

 

[Gary Wells]

I would guess that there could be more to this than meets the eye. Yes, the dog sought you out rather than it's previous owner. That speaks volumes in itself. Did the previous owner have kids?, grandkids? I would bet that somebody somewhere teased and / or mistreated that dog, and I would bet that those some-bodies somewhere was / were kids and / or a maladjusted family. Somebody somewhere has been pulling that dogs tail for a ride. Or teasing it. And I am sure that there is some jealousy in there somewhere, and not necessarily on the dogs part, but maybe the previous owners family.

 

[datant69]

alot of good advice i'm not a dog person

but my brother is, he had a pit bull and my son ( 4 yrs old at he time or younger ) went into my mom's back yard to play on the trampoline and i went out with him to make sure he didn't play with the dog it was chained up. and that dog almost broke the chain going after my son. he was used to my brothers kids but i went crazy, i started yelling and i carryed a pistol and pulled it out and was real close to ending it's life. when i assorted my authority over the dog it got down in a submissive type position with it's head down no eye contact and i put my gun away and yelled at it some more. my son went back into the back yard a few times again and this dog just laid there as i was again right behind him and looking in his direction. i wasn't trying to hurt the dog as i wouldn't do that but i was close to because i was pissed off. i think you need to be assertive and show the dog who's boss, since it's an animal it may have a pack mentality and you may have to show it your the leader of this pack. but there are some good advice on here, i was just letting you know what i did. sure some may not agree with the way i handled it but if your child was attacked or almost attacked and this dog was acting in that manner i'm sure your parental instincts would kick in and you would do what you'd have to in order to correct the situation. i never hit the dog but i got real close that day.

 

[faster]

Too many children torn up by the family dog for me to leave a situation like yours unresolved for more than 5 minutes.


My dad had a shepard when he married mom. The dog would not allow mom to wash dad's clothes, weird. I heard the stories though of how mom quickly established her position of authority with her broom. But I came long and was his best friend. Just never hit me in front of him, two neighborhood kids paid a price for that when they tried to steal my bike and I got into a fight with them.


Mikey